'Only half' pensioners claim credit

Only 2.6m of an estimated 5m pensioners are benefiting from the pension credit, launched by the Government last autumn, the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed yesterday.

The DWP said another 80,000 people signed up for the means-tested credit in January, which replaced the minimum income guarantee last year, bringing the total to 2.6m. The same number applied in December.

Andrew Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: "More pensioners are getting extra money with every passing day. We are continuing to work hard to ensure that those pensioners who stand to benefit from the pension credit make that crucial phone call."

However, the result was criticised by the Liberal Democrats and pensioner charities. Steve Webb, Liberal Democrat spokesman for work and pensions, said he was disappointed that the number of pensioners benefiting from the credit had "stagnated". He added: "The Government has known for years that the poorest pensioners fail to claim complex means-tested benefits. As every month goes by, pensioners are missing out on money they are entitled to.

" The only guaranteed way to get extra money to the poorest pensioners is by boosting the inadequate state pension."